The ruling is pending an appeal, which means no same-sex marriage licenses will immediately be issued in the state, but it did open a process that could eventually lead to legal gay marriage in the state.

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In the ruling, U.S. District Judge Terence Kern held that the state’s constitutional amendment limiting marriage to a union between a man and a woman violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The Human Rights campaign, the country’s largest gay-rights organization, lauded the decision, calling it a victory for “fundamental equality.”

“Judge Kern has come to the conclusion that so many have before him — that the fundamental equality of lesbian and gay couples is guaranteed by the United States Constitution,” HRC President Chad Griffin said in a statement. “With last year’s historic victories at the Supreme Court guiding the way, it is clear that we are on a path to full and equal citizenship for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.”